Super Bowl Do's & Don'ts - Snacks You and Your Teeth Will Love

Next Sunday, almost every American will gather in their living rooms across the country to do something incredibly rare: watch live television!

Only something as big as the 53rd Super Bowl gets Americans of all ages in front of their TV's at the same time. And the Super Bowl is a big event; in fact, it is our country’s most-watched sporting event - drawing an average112 million viewers each year!

The nerves of a close game... the celebratory nature of being with friends and family... it’s okay to indulge occasionally and the Super Bowl is a great excuse, but being in the business of oral health, we do think it’s important to choose wisely how you will spend those 2,400 calories.

Most of us are generally aware of what foods are healthy and which ones aren’t - however, most of us only measure the health of a food based on its caloric value. We believe it’s important to consider the overall health benefits of a food - including how it will affect your mouth. Some foods are worse for your teeth and gums than others, and shouldn’t be consumed in Super Bowl-sized portions.

This Super Bowl, think twice about what you’re reaching for on the snack table.

Here are a few dos and donts for mouth-healthy snacks this weekend:

Don’t - Chips

We know, how is this even possible? Chips are a staple for most Super Bowl spreads!Houston-based pediatric dentists Natalie Harrison and Steve Hogan explain: “Unfortunately, starches like chips are terrible for teeth and contribute to tooth decay by wearing down enamel. This occurs when starch metabolizes into sugar, which is a breeding ground for bacteria that eats away at tooth enamel.”

Dr. Sheryl Hunter Griffith and Dr. Elizabeth Chen, the dentists who put together the list, say, “Carrots contain beta-carotene that your body uses to create vitamin A, which works to build strong teeth. The sour cream in this dip gives your teeth a boost of calcium, which also helps to keep your teeth strong.”

Don’t - Hot Wings

This is another no-no from Drs. Harrison and Hogan. “The average spicy hot wing is made from buffalo sauce which contains a PH level of 2.8 - which is nearly as acidic as a lemon!” they say. “Exposed acid attacks on teeth can decimate enamel and leave them vulnerable to tooth decay.”

That’s probably something you didn’t know about chicken wings. Just say no to the spicy, high-acidic foods this Sunday.

Do - The Cheese Tray

This is another snack recommended by the ADA: “Cheese is a tooth powerhouse, with tons of tooth strengthening calcium and a protein called casein, which is amazingly effective in protecting the surface of your teeth.”

Don’t - Soda

This one should be obvious, but in case you didn’t know, soda is bad for your teeth! “Soda and other carbonated beverages are loaded with sugar and other additives that can slowly destroy teeth,” say Drs. Harrison and Hogan.